Location: Tokyo
Top Things to do in Tokyo
Top 10 Art Museums in Tokyo, Kanto
Tradition collides with pop culture in Tokyo, where you can reverently wander ancient temples before rocking out at a karaoke bar. Wake up before the sun to catch the lively fish auction at the Tsukiji Market, then refresh with a walk beneath the cherry blossom trees that line the Sumida River. Spend some time in the beautiful East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, then brush up on your Japanese history at the Edo-Tokyo Museum. Don’t forget to eat as much sushi, udon noodles, and wagashi (Japanese sweets) as your belly can handle.
Restaurants in Tokyo
1. Mori Art Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,105 reviews
This museum, located in Roppongi Hills, is one of Asia's largest spaces for contemporary art.
Reviewed By warrenD190 - Vladivostok, Russia
You can find some great exhibitions here and couple a visit to the art museum with a visit to the observatory with a 360 degree panorama of Tokyo, as spectacular as or more spectacular than the view from the SkyTree and a lot shorter line. I brought professional camera gear and they let me go up on the roof, otherwise restricted. Fantastic
2. Ota Memorial Museum of Art
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 205 reviews
This small museum houses a collection of woodblock prints from noted artist Ota Seizo.
Reviewed By HelloKittyTravelPro
Excellent, small museum devoted to Ukiyo-e. In depth exhibitions focusing on a specific theme or artist. Utagawa Kuniyoshi’s work was on display when we visited in October. The size of the museum provides enough space for the exhibition to explore the subject in detail. Exhibitions change monthly. Allow about an hour to see everything. Small bookstore on the ground floor and gift store on the lower ground floor. The museum is located just a few metres off of Omotesando and less than 5 minutes from Harajuku Station and Takeshita Dori.
3. Tokyo National Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,192 reviews
This famous museum houses the largest collection of Japanese artifacts and artworks in the world. With over 100,000 pieces and room to display only 4,000, exhibits are rotated constantly
Reviewed By E9706FNpaulo - County Monaghan, Ireland
Located at the top of Ueno Park this is a very large museum and is worth a visit to get a real appreciation of Japanese history and culture. My time was limited so only got to see a portion of worth I wanted to see but would definitely return if back in Tokyo.
4. Nezu Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 874 reviews
To cooperate with extended measures to prevent further expansion of COVID-19, Nezu Museum, including the garden and NEZUCAFÉ, will remain closed,at least until May 31, 2021, and “The Allure of Color” exhibition will not reopen. For the refund of already purchased timed-entry tickets for the above exhibition, please see here. We apologize for any inconvenience caused, but look forward to welcoming you again soon.
Reviewed By RoomReport - Sydney, Australia
The Nezu Museum is an oasis in Aoyama, with a beautiful museum building, a large and lovely garden to wander around and an excellent cafe in a glass box at the top of the garden with great views over the greenery
5. National Museum of Western Art
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 905 reviews
Reviewed By PatrickLLLL - Hong Kong, China
One of the few western arts museums in the world which features a great collection of paintings by masters such as Renoir, Manet, Monet, Gaugin and more than a dozen sculptures by Rodin, and offers free admission to the public (on Saturdays). Seniors over 65 can enter free on all days. The Museum itself was the work of Le Corbusier and part of the UNESCO world heritage sites collectively designated under his name. Highly recommended. The annotations are in multiple languages including English. Allow 2 hours at least for a visit.
6. The National Art Center, Tokyo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,302 reviews
Announcement of Temporary Closing (May 11, 2021) In compliance with the state of emergency and the government's request, the National Art Center, Tokyo will be closed to prevent the further spreading of the coronavirus disease (COVID-2019) from April 25 (Sun) for the time being. Re-opening plans will be announced at a later date on the NACT website/SNS. We apologize for any inconvenience and we appreciate your understanding and cooperation. --- The National Art Center, Tokyo (NACT) is a unique and innovative art exhibition facility: instead of maintaining a permanent collection, it makes the most of a total of 14,000 square meters of exhibition space, one of the largest in Japan, and focuses on serving as a venue for various art exhibitions.
Reviewed By Joao_FGR - Sapporo, Japan
The museum doesn't have a permanent collection, which means that the exhibitions change very often. The building is really nice, including very good restaurants, and the choice of the themes is always very interesting. Although the prices are a bit high, the collections presented are normally very large and well organised. I visited 3 times during the last years and it was always very, very interesting.
7. Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 370 reviews
Reviewed By hfot2 - Vermont, United States
While many come here to visit the Art Museum, we come to stroll in the Japanese garden. You can pay a garden-only entrance fee which is quite minimal, and even smaller for seniors. Along with the Japanese strolling garden, the grounds include a European garden, several large statues and sculpture installations on a broad open lawn area often populated by kiddie playgroups (and children happily climbing on the abstract sculptures), family gatherings, young couples, seniors, and, of course, the Art Museum itself. The small Japanese garden, tucked into the far reaches of the grounds, is well worth your time. We found that late morning visits provided better light than later in the afternoon. We have been several times at different times of day. The autumn foliage never disappoints. This is a popular place and it often has many tourists. If you want to take photos without people - as we do - you will find yourself waiting a long time before you can get your desired shot. The circuit around the koi pond offered many different views, some including borrowed scenery. At the top of a small hill is a lovely tea house. Two women (volunteers?) invited us to take our shoes off to photograph the space. They also gave us a pamphlet in English about the tea house. They seemed most pleased that we showed such interest in the building. Be aware that there are uneven steps up to and down from the tea house. After making a second circuit around the pond and photoing the garden from every angle we finally decided it was time to depart. Visitors tips: This is a perfect place to visit before or after a walk through the very close Nature Institute. Happo-en garden can be visited on the same (very full) day as well. Ask about a senior, over 65, discount for entrance - be prepared to show you passport to prove your age. Even if you don’t visit the Art Museum, you can visit BLANC, one of two shops for the Museum, located just outside the entrance to the grounds. Lots of interesting items for sale here.
8. Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 435 reviews
Reviewed By SAVVYTRAVELER331
We happened upon this very special museum when we entered Marunouchi Brick Square and decided to view the current exhibition, which was "All About Mariano Fortuny." It did not disappoint! The historic red-brick building is a wonder in itself. Such a pleasure to walk through the rooms showcasing the exhibition. Easy to navigate, with the fashion and art beautifully displayed. There is also a lovely shop and a charming café. Also, right outside the museum, in Brick Square, are several restaurants and cafés. Definitely worth a visit!
9. Tokyo National Museum The Heiseikan
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 255 reviews
Reviewed By TXUAN
If you love exploring about history, knowing about other culture and other's lifestyle, then this museum is for you. A wide range of things to discover, and it could take you the whole day wondering in every corner of the museam. Also, the landscape around the museum is so wonderful, you can take hundreds of beautiful photo. Better go there in Autumn.
10. 21 21 DESIGN SIGHT
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 283 reviews
Reviewed By pchamberland - Montreal, Canada
This Ando designed museum has interesting exhibits - the current one is on handcrafts that are done by artisans. The charming park is great for a stroll. The small space next door has an exhibit of bags and fabrics by Issey Miyake. Next to Roppongi mid-town mall which is also worth a visit. 1 days excursion insludes the Mori tower, walk over to the Tokyo Art Museum and the Neze Museum.
TAGS
